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2021 National Action Plan
2021 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action Plan: Ending Violence Against Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People
This website will continue to evolve as the National Action Plan evolves.
Dedication
We honour our grandmothers, mothers, daughters, sisters, aunties, cousins, friends, and Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual Plus (2SLGBTQQIA+) people who have gone missing or have been murdered, as well as the survivors of gender- and race-based violence and the families whose lives have been altered forever. Our work is guided by your voices – we will always remember.
We pay tribute to the strength and resilience of families of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, and survivors of gender- and race-based violence, who shared their difficult truths about this long-standing crisis through the National Inquiry, Métis Perspectives report, and other processes. We also acknowledge, respect and honour family members and survivors who were not ready or who chose not to participate in the inquiries.
Dedication
We acknowledge the work of those involved in the National Inquiry, including the Commissioners, staff, Elders, Grandmothers, Committee members, project coordinator, research team, and the National Family Advisory Circle. We also acknowledge those who led the Métis Perspectives report.
We commend the National Family and Survivors Circle, which continues to advise based on the four pillars of inclusion, interconnectedness, accountability, and impact, so that outcomes are felt on the ground. The National Family and Survivors Circle continues to lead and advocate for the inclusion of family and survivors in actions focused on ending all forms of violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. The lived expertise and agency of families, survivors, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people are critical in the decolonizing approach for transformative change.
We thank the numerous front-line workers, grassroots organizations, and advocacy groups for their tireless support to survivors and family members.
We offer gratitude for the countless marches, rallies and awareness raising campaigns which have occurred over the decades, including when they were unpopular and unsafe to do. We are also grateful for the grassroots organizations, Native Councils, Indigenous women’s centres, shelters, Friendship Centres, and communities who continue to support Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, families, and survivors with dignity, compassion, transparency, and accountability. We also recognize others in Canada who have, and continue to, advocate for change.
We acknowledge the involvement of all Indigenous people, including First Nations, Inuit, and Métis governments, Indigenous representative organizations, urban and rural Indigenous communities, Indigenous women’s centres, shelters, and Friendship Centres, as well as municipal and provincial/territorial governments, and the Government of Canada. We appreciate those who supported the work of the inquiries.
Message from the National Family and Survivors Circle
The National Family and Survivors Circle forever holds in our hearts and minds Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people who are missing, have been murdered, or are survivors of gender- and race-based violence. We recognize and honour families and survivors and all those who participated in the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls that got us here today in developing a National Action Plan. We also recognize some families and survivors have not yet had the opportunity to share their truth as the genocide continues. They must be provided with opportunities to be involved for healing, honouring, and commemorating their loved ones who are missing or were murdered.
Message from Core Working Group
We, the members of the Core Working Group, are honoured to present this 2021 National Action Plan in response to the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls entitled “Reclaiming Power and Place” (the “National Inquiry”), which was released on June 3, 2019. The National Action Plan also responds to the report entitled “Métis Perspectives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and LGBTQ2S+ People”, released on June 30, 2019, by Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak (LFMO).
Message from Core Working Group
As advocates for ending violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, representatives of our organizations, and as members of the Core Working Group, many of whom are survivors and family members, we recognize the urgent need for action. Violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people happens within a broad social context shaped by systemic racism and colonialism. Therefore, change is required across all governments and institutions, and by all Canadians.
The Core Working Group is collaborating with the National Family and Survivors Circle and Contributing Partners to co-develop a National Action Plan that will drive transformative change to end systemic racism and violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. Survivors and family members are central in the development and implementation of the Plan.
The National Action Plan is meant to be an overarching framework which connects the work of the National Family and Survivors Circle and the Contributing Partners but recognizes each of their different paths and priorities. Therefore, the National Family and Survivors Circle, Contributing Partners, and provinces and territories are developing their own strategies or action plans.
Our work is not done – the 2021 National Action Plan is a first step towards ending all forms of gender- and race-based violence. It is a living and evergreen document which lays the way forward and is adaptable so that changing needs can be incorporated. The next step involves preparation of an implementation plan with in-depth descriptions of short-, medium- and long-term priorities, and the identification of those responsible for implementation of each action, as well as milestones and required resources.
Introduction
Indigenous women, girls and Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual Plus (2SLGBTQQIA+) people hold a sacred place and equally crucial roles, are valued, and are integral to Indigenous communities.1 They come from a place of strength in culture, values, and tradition as leaders, knowledge keepers, providers, custodians of culture, healers and/or caregivers. They are the voice pressing for a transformative process leading to change, advocating for prevention and the end to gender- and race-based violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. They have been demanding to be heard, to be respected, to be treated equitably, to be secure, and to be safe.
- Throughout this National Action Plan, the term “community” is utilized in the broadest sense, referring to Indigenous communities or groups with diverse characteristics who may be linked by social ties, share common perspectives, and/or engage in joint action in geographical locations or settings.
Introduction
Indigenous women and Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual Plus (2SLGBTQQIA+) people hold a sacred place and equally crucial roles, are valued, and are integral to Indigenous communities.1 They come from a place of strength in culture, values, and tradition as leaders, knowledge keepers, providers, custodians of culture, healers and/or caregivers. They are the voice pressing for a transformative process leading to change, advocating for prevention and the end to gender- and race-based violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. They have been demanding to be heard, to be respected, to be treated equitably, to be secure, and to be safe.
The 2021 National Action Plan responds to the many demands to end violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. It is meant to honour and respect Indigenous and 2SLGBTQQIA+ peoples’ values, philosophies, knowledge systems, and agencies through the prioritization of Indigenous-led solutions and services, developed in partnership and sustained through the adequate resourcing of this work. The National Action Plan is not meant to be frozen in time; it is evergreen, recognizing the urgency for immediate action, but also the importance of continuing to cultivate transformative change over time.
This section briefly outlines the work of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) (“National Inquiry”), and also discusses the Métis Perspectives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and LGBTQ2S+ People report prepared by Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak (LFMO).
Call for Justice 1.1 of the National Inquiry2 says:
1.1. We call upon federal, provincial, territorial, municipal, and Indigenous governments (hereinafter “all governments”), in partnership with Indigenous Peoples, to develop and implement a National Action Plan to address violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people, as recommended in our Interim Report and in support of existing recommendations by other bodies of inquiry and other reports. As part of the National Action Plan, we call upon all governments to ensure that equitable access to basic rights such as employment, housing, education, safety, and health care is recognized as a fundamental means of protecting Indigenous and human rights, resourced and supported as rights-based programs founded on substantive equality. All programs must be no-barrier, and must apply regardless of Status or location.
Governments should:
i. Table and implement a National Action Plan that is flexible and distinctions-based, and that includes regionally specific plans with devoted funding and timetables for implementation that are rooted in the local cultures and communities of diverse Indigenous identities, with measurable goals and necessary resources dedicated to capacity building, sustainability, and long-term solutions.
ii. Make publicly available on an annual basis reports of ongoing actions and developments in measurable goals related to the National Action Plan.
LFMO Call for Miskotahâ (the Michif word for change) 463 says:
Action is required to develop an Implementation Committee to review the Calls for Justice in this report; the Calls to Action in the Truth and Reconciliation Committee and the Métis Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Final Report, Reclaiming Power and Place.
This section also describes the development of a Core Working Group and the approach used to develop the National Action Plan. Appendix A provides a list of acronyms and Appendix B defines key terms used throughout the Plan.
National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people experience higher rates of violence and are overrepresented as victims of crime. Research has reported that violent victimization perpetrated against Indigenous women is almost triple that of non-Indigenous women.4 Further, it has been found that Indigenous women and girls are 12 times more likely to be murdered or missing than non-Indigenous women,5 a number that is even higher for Indigenous women in the North.6 2SLGBTQQIA+ people are often additionally targeted because of gender identity and/or sexual orientation, referred to as a “triple jeopardy” for various forms of interpersonal and institutional violence.7 Similarly, Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people with disabilities face significantly greater risks of violent victimization than non-Indigenous people.8 However, the exact number of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people in Canada is unknown as thousands of these deaths or disappearances have been unreported or misreported over the decades and indeed over centuries.9
After decades of advocacy from families, survivors, and grassroots organizations, including numerous calls for a national inquiry into the alarming number of disappearances and murders of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people in Canada,10 in 2016 the federal government and the 13 provincial and territorial governments launched the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. The National Inquiry was mandated to report on:
Systemic causes of all forms of violence – including sexual violence – against Indigenous women and girls in Canada, including underlying social, economic, cultural, institutional and historical causes contributing to the ongoing violence and particular vulnerabilities of Indigenous women and girls in Canada, and
Institutional policies and practices implemented in response to violence experienced by Indigenous women and girls in Canada, including the identification and examination of practices that have been effective in reducing violence and increasing safety.11
The National Inquiry’s mandate focused “all forms of violence” against Indigenous women and girls, historic and ongoing, and was broadened to include issues such as family violence; institutional racism in health care, child welfare, policing, and the justice system; and other forms of violence that stem from the same structures of colonization such as those who died from negligence, accidents, or suicide, or those whose cause of death is unknown or disputed.12 It also examined the underlying root causes of the violence. The National Inquiry also chose to explicitly include First Nations, Métis, and Inuit and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.13 It also expanded the notion of family to include “families of the heart”, and witnesses who, although not biological family members, had familial relationships with those who are missing or murdered.
The National Inquiry began its work in September 2016, and for over two years gathered information and heard from families and survivors, Indigenous leaders, knowledge keepers, communities, experts, and institutions. On June 3, 2019, the Final Report of the National Inquiry, entitled “Reclaiming Power and Place”, was released. The report focused on the underlying social economic, cultural, institutional, systemic, and historical causes, policies, and practices for the ongoing violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, as well as the contemporary manifestations and impacts of these practices. Based on the results of the Truth-Gathering Process, the National Inquiry concluded that violence experienced by Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people amounts to genocide.14
The violence the National Inquiry heard about amounts to a race-based genocide of Indigenous Peoples, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis, which especially targets women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people. This genocide has been empowered by colonial structures, evidenced notably by the Indian Act, the Sixties Scoop, residential schools and breaches of human and Indigenous rights, leading directly to the current increased rates of violence, death, and suicide in Indigenous populations.
United Nations spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani called for the Canadian government to take action to assess the serious claims raised in the National Inquiry, saying “The National Inquiry found reasons to believe that Canada’s past and present policies, omissions and actions amount to genocide, under international law”.15
The National Inquiry’s Final report also stated that violence experienced by Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people are abuses and violations of Indigenous human rights that include inherent, Treaty, and Constitutional rights, and have resulted in the denial of safety, security, and human dignity.16
Ultimately, and despite different circumstances and backgrounds, what connects all these deaths is colonial violence, racism and oppression
(National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls)
The National Inquiry identified 231 Calls for Justice under the following themes: culture, health and wellness, human security, and justice; as well as some Calls for Justice under the area of “human and Indigenous rights and governmental obligations”. The report also includes specific Calls for Justice directed at confronting violence against Métis, Inuit and 2SLGBTQQIA+ peoples. The Calls for Justice were directed at all levels of government, including federal, provincial/territorial, municipal, Indigenous; institutions; service providers, such as health care, child welfare, education, justice services, transportation; industries, such as hospitality, resource extraction and development; the media; and all Canadians. The National Inquiry also released a supplementary report focusing on specific issues facing Indigenous women and girls in Québec, which contained an additional 21 Calls for Justice.17 It also published a supplementary report explaining its basis for the claim of genocide.18
In 2019, LFMO also prepared a report specifically focusing on the issues facing Métis women, girls and gender diverse people and reflecting their unique histories and realities. The report identified 62 Calls for Miskotahâ (the Michif word for change) which focus on the lack of data specific to Métis women and girls, intergovernmental affairs, engagement, services, child welfare, jurisdiction, criminal justice, health, prevention, and awareness.19
At the closing ceremony of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls on June 3, 2019, the Prime Minister committed to developing a National Action Plan to address violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people and turning the National Inquiry’s Calls for Justice into real and meaningful Indigenous-led action:
“We will develop and implement a National Action Plan to address violence against Indigenous women, girls, and LGBTQ and Two-Spirit people. We will work with Indigenous partners to determine next steps, and we will include the perspectives and full participation of Indigenous women and girls. We will also include the voices of LGBTQ and Two-Spirit people with lived experience, as well as the family members of victims, and survivors of violence. We will also continue to work with provinces, territories, and municipalities to encourage cooperation across all orders of government in responding to the report. Reducing the rates of violence against Indigenous women and girls, and Indigenous LGBTQ and Two-Spirit people, is a priority for the Government of Canada. Our government will turn the Inquiry’s Calls for Justice into real, meaningful, Indigenous-led action”20
Provincial/territorial and Indigenous governments, as well as Indigenous organizations and leaders responded to the findings from the National Inquiry’s report, highlighting the importance of including Indigenous organizations, survivors, and family members in the response to the Calls for Justice. For example:
“We are committed to developing a path forward to end violence against Indigenous women and girls that will be directly informed by survivors, family members and communities.” (British Columbia Premier John Horgan)21
“Be it resolved that Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami work with the Inuit regions, Pauktuutit and the National Inuit Youth Council to facilitate the full implementation of all Calls to Justice contained in the Final Report of the National Inquiry.” (Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami Resolution)22
“Safety for Inuit women is complex. If we are to deal with the root causes of violence, we must stop the cycle of discrimination and the cycles of physical and sexual abuse. To do that, we need the full commitment of governments and communities. If we don’t work together to implement Inuit-led solutions, Inuit women and their children will continue to be in danger”. (Rebecca Kudloo, President, Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada)23
“We’re relieved that the final report of the national inquiry has been tabled. Now, we can press forward with our work to advocate for systemic and the whole of government approaches to ending violence against all Métis women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people.” (Melanie Omeniho, President of Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak)24
“[The Assembly of First Nations] call upon the Federal government to ensure that all engagement on a National Action Plan be carried out using the ‘Families First’ approach.” (Assembly of First Nations Resolution)25
“We are here to honour the lost women and girls. We’re hopeful that full implementation of the Calls to Justice would lead to greater safety, security and empowerment of our constituency.” (National Chief Robert Bertrand, Congress of Aboriginal Peoples)26
“The process for developing and implementing the National Action Plan… must not only be dictated by governments alone. It must be distinctions-based, it must be First Nation women-led, and most of all, it has to reflect the voice of the survivors and family members of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.” (Ontario Regional Chief Rose Anne Archibald)27
“[Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak] will work to implement recommendations but I also call on all other levels of government to do what they can.” (Grand Chief Garrison Settee, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc.)28
As will be described in the next section, the federal government created a Core Working Group to respond to the 231 Calls for Justice from the National Inquiry and the 62 Calls to Miskotahâ from the Métis Perspectives report released by LFMO.
This begins with recognizing the truth. For non-Indigenous Canadians, this means rethinking commonly held stereotypes, and confronting racism in every context. For Indigenous Peoples, this means using the truth to rebuild our lives, our families, our communities and Canada itself. And for governments, this means nothing less than a new and decolonized social order; it is an opportunity to transform and to rebuild in real partnership with Indigenous Peoples.
(National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls)
Developing a Core Working Group
The National Inquiry called for the federal, provincial, territorial, municipal, and Indigenous governments, in partnership with Indigenous people, to develop and implement a National Action Plan that responds to the 231 Calls for Justice. In addition, LFMO called for action to implement the 62 Calls to Miskotahâ which focus on Métis women, girls, and gender diverse people. To achieve this, governments (federal, provincial/territorial, municipal, Indigenous), Indigenous representative organizations, and Indigenous partners and communities from across the country are contributing to the National Action Plan to make the necessary changes to ensure that Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people are safe wherever they are,29 now and in the future. It is recognized that gender- and race-based violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people happens within a broad social context shaped by systemic racism and colonialism and that transformative change is required across governments and institutions, and by all Canadians.
In response to the National Inquiry’s Call for Justice 1.1, and LFMO’s Call for Miskotahâ 46, the federal government created a Core Working Group in 2020 to lead the development of the National Action Plan. The following illustrates the structure utilized to develop the National Action Plan.
Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people are at the centre of the National Action Plan, because they represent the focus and heart of the Plan. The inner circle represents survivors, families and the National Family and Survivors Circle who provide advice on development of the National Action Plan. The Core Working Group represents the third circle, responsible for leading the National Action Plan. Finally, the outer circle includes First Nations, Inuit, the Métis Nation, Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, Urban, 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, data, and federal Contributing Partners30, as well as provincial/territorial representatives, who have developed their own strategies or action plans. Other Indigenous partners and grassroots service organizations were, and continue to be, engaged.
The Core Working Group is co-chaired by:
- Federal Co-Chair: Gina Wilson, Deputy Minister, Diversity and Inclusion and Youth and Senior Associate Deputy Minister, Canadian Heritage, Government of Canada
- Provincial/Territorial Co-Chair: Valerie Royle, Deputy Minister, Women’s Directorate; Deputy Minister, Tourism and Culture; Deputy Minister, French Languages Services Directorate, Government of Yukon
Members of the Core Working Group include:
- Co-Chair of National Family and Survivors Circle: Hilda Anderson-Pyrz, Manager, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Liaison Unit, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak
- Co-Chair of National Family and Survivors Circle: Denise Pictou-Maloney, Family Member
- Rose Mary Cooper, Acting Executive Director, Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada
- Co-Chair of Inuit Sub-Working Group: Tracy Sarazin, Manager, Health and Social Development, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
- Chair of Métis Nation Sub-Working Group: Melanie Omeniho, President, Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak
- Chair of First Nations Sub-Working Group: Chief Connie Big Eagle, Ocean Man First Nation, Assembly of First Nations’ Women’s Council
- Chair of Urban Sub-Working Group: Diane Redsky, Executive Director, Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre
- Chair of 2SLGBTQQIA+ Sub-Working Group: Sylvia Maracle, E xecutive Director, Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres
- Co-Chair of Data Sub-Working Group: Karine Duhamel, Former Director of Research for the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
- Co-Chair of Data Sub-Working Group: Carol Hopkins, Executive Director, Thunderbird Partnership Foundation
- Chair of Sub-Working Group of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples: President and Chief Lisa Cooper, Native Council of Prince Edward Island
- Co-Chair of Federal Sub-Working Group: Claudette Dumont-Smith, Special Advisor, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
- Co-Chair of Federal Sub-Working Group: Mary-Luisa Kapelus, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
- Provincial/Territorial Representative: Rachel Holmes, Executive Lead, Strategic Public Safety Initiatives, British Columbia Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
The established mandate of the Core Working Group is to develop a National Action Plan, including the following activities:
- Leading the development of the framework and the common components of the National Action Plan, in particular the vision, guiding principles, common priorities, desired outcomes, and the accountability/results structure for implementation.
- Collaborating with the National Family and Survivors Circle to advocate for family members of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people and survivors of gender- and race-based violence to be meaningfully included in the development and implementation of the National Action Plan.
- Engaging with the Data Sub-Working Group to ensure that a data strategy is developed to support the monitoring and evaluation of the National Action Plan as it is implemented.
- Liaising with the First Nations, Inuit, Métis Nation, and Congress of Aboriginal Peoples Contributing Partners to ensure that the National Action Plan reflects the distinct Indigenous Peoples of Canada.
- Liaising with the Urban Contributing Partner to ensure urban issues are included in the development and implementation of the National Action Plan.
- Liaising with the 2SLGBTQQIA+ Contributing Partner to ensure 2SLGBTQQIA+ people’s issues are included in the development and implementation of the National Action Plan.
- Liaising with the Federal Contributing Partner to ensure that the federal contribution is included in the development of the National Action Plan.
- Liaising with provincial/territorial representatives on the development and implementation of the National Action Plan.
- Liaising with key Indigenous advocates, frontline service workers, and leaders, as well as federal-provincial-territorial stakeholders, on the development and implementation of the National Action Plan, as needed.
- Providing strategic direction to the Contributing Partners.
The Core Working Group has accomplished a significant portion of its mandate. However, the National Plan is an evergreen document, and the development of the desired outcomes and the accountability/results structure for implementation will be completed as part of the implementation plan. In addition, Contributing Partners will continue the work on their action plans.
The Core Working Group draws upon the lived experience, expertise, and agency of families and survivors and connects the work of the Contributing Partners to develop an overarching National Action Plan to end inequalities that contribute to the disproportionately high levels of violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. It is important to share each other’s strengths, respect diversity, and ground the work in Indigenous values and governance systems rooted in land, culture, spirituality, and relationships.
National Action Plan
The Core Working Group acknowledges and receives the findings and the 231 Calls for Justice from the National Inquiry, and the 62 Calls for Miskotahâ from LFMO’s report. The Core Working Group, National Family and Survivors Circle, Contributing Partners, and provincial/territorial representatives reviewed and made decisions to incorporate specific Calls for Justice and Calls for Miskotahâ into their respective strategies or plans. This was also an opportunity to identify and address any gaps or priorities that have emerged since the 231 Calls for Justice and 62 Calls for Miskotahâ were identified.
To ensure Indigenous families, survivors, women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people’s voices, perspectives, worldviews, and lived experiences are at the centre of the National Action Plan, over 100 Indigenous women, 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, and others contributed to the development of a National Action Plan.
Drawing upon the experience and expertise of family members and survivors, the National Action Plan is meant to be an overarching plan which identifies the necessary activities that must be taken by governments (federal, provincial/territorial, municipal, Indigenous), organizations, and communities across the country to address violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. Rooted in the unique needs, experiences, and cultural contexts of Indigenous people and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, the National Action Plan is a series of interlinked, interrelated plans which represent the distinct and unique interests, priorities, and circumstances of Indigenous people. Within this past year, the National Family and Survivors Circle, the Contributing Partners, and provinces/territories have been developing their strategies/action plans which together make up the National Action Plan.
Even though the National Action Plan has been co-developed, the distinct plans or strategies were developed by the National Family and Survivors Circle, individual Contributing Partners and the provinces/territories. The National Action Plan and the Contributing Partners plans are interconnected, but the National Action does not necessarily represent all aspects of each unique plan and/or strategy. Further, Core Working Group members may or may not concur with Contributing Partners’ plans or strategies in part or in whole.
Importantly, the National Action Plan is meant to be a living document that lays a strong foundation but is evergreen and adaptable so that changing needs can be incorporated when developing and implementing the path forward. A comprehensive and complementary implementation plan for the National Action Plan, including Indigenous-led actions, will be developed with expected outcomes, activities, and timelines. Further, reporting and accountability mechanisms will be created, including regular updates to ensure the plan remains meaningful and effective and to track progress in a way that captures the impact of actions “on the ground”.
Key sections of the 2021 National Action Plan include:
- The Vision and Guiding Principles for the National Action Plan
- The Goals of the National Action Plan
- The common short-term priorities for the National Action Plan
- Summaries of Action Plans/Strategies from the National Family and Survivors Circle, Contributing Partners, and provinces/territories
- Discussion of immediate next steps and ideas for monitoring progress
Footnotes
- Throughout this National Action Plan, the term “community” is utilized in the broadest sense, referring to Indigenous communities or groups with diverse characteristics who may be linked by social ties, share common perspectives, and/or engage in joint action in geographical locations or settings.
- National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (2019). Reclaiming power and place: Executive summary of the national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. Available at: https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Executive_Summary.pdf.
- LFMO (2019). Métis perspectives of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and LGBTQ2S+ people. Available at: https://en2.metiswomen.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/LFMO-MMIWG-Report.pdf.
- JUS (2019). Indigenous overrepresentation in the criminal justice system. Just Facts. Research and Statistics Division. Available at: https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/jr/jf-pf/2019/docs/may01.pdf.
- National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (2019). Reclaiming power and place: The final report of the national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. Volume 1a. Available at: https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Final_Report_Vol_1a-1.pdf.
- NWAC (2020). The Native Women’s Association fact sheet: Violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people in Canada. Available at: https://www.nwac.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/MMIWG-and-Violence-Fact-Sheet-Formatted-2021.pdf.
- National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (2019). Reclaiming power and place. Volume 1a.
- Cotter, A. (2018). Violent victimization of women with disabilities, 2014. Juristat, Catalogue no. 85-002-X, ISSN 1209-6393. Available at: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/pub/85-002-x/2018001/article/54910-eng.pdf?st=qDgD1TnY.
- National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (2019). Reclaiming power and place. Volume 1a.
- For example, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Sisters in Spirit campaign.
- National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (2019). Reclaiming power and place. Volume 1a.
- National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (2019). Reclaiming power and place. Volume 1a.
- National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (2019). Reclaiming power and place. Volume 1a.
- National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (2019). A legal analysis of Genocide. Supplementary Report. Available at: https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Supplementary-Report_Genocide.pdf.
- Stefanovich, O. (2019). UN Human Rights Office calls for examination of MMIWG inquiry’s genocide claim. Available at: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/stefanovich-un-national-inquirygenocide-response-1.5174855.
- National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (2019). Reclaiming power and place: Executive summary.
- National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (2019). Reclaiming power and place. Volume 2: A supplementary report of the national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls – Kepek – Quebec. Available at: https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Final_Report_Vol_2_Quebec_Report-1.pdf.
- National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (2019). A legal analysis of genocide.
- LFMO (2019). Métis perspectives.
- PMO (2019). Prime Minister welcomes final report from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Available at: pm.gc.ca/en/news/statements/2019/06/03/prime-minister-welcomes-final-report-national-inquiry-missing-and.
- Government of British Columbia (2019). Premier’s statement on national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls final report. Available at: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2019PREM0080-001132.
- ITK (2019). Resolution B19-06-02. ITK Board of Directors, June 27th. Available at: https://www.itk.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/B19-06-02-ITKBoD-MMIWG.pdf.
- Pauktuutit (2019). Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada News release.
- Henry (2019). MMIWG report a step in the right direction say local groups. Available at: https://www.lakelandtoday.ca/bonnyvillenews/mmiwg-report-a-step-in-the-right-direction-say-localgroups-1911201.
- AFN (2019). Resolution 67/2019. AFN General Assembly, June 23- 25, Fredericton, New Brunswick. Available at: https://www.afn.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2019-AGA-Resolutions.pdf.
- CAP (2019). Press statement on final report from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Available at: http://www.abo-peoples.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/June-3-Press-Statement.pdf.
- Narine, S. (2019). Chiefs push for federal government response to MMIWG inquiry report. Available at: https://windspeaker.com/news/windspeaker-news/chiefs-push-federal-government-responsemmiwg-inquiry-report.
- CTV Winnipeg (2019). Manitoba leaders react to the MMIWG inquiry’s final report. Available at: https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/manitoba-leaders-react-to-the-mmiwg-inquiry-s-finalreport-1.4449656.
- The term “wherever they are” is meant to be inclusive of wherever Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people may live, reside, or may be.
- Contributing Partners is used throughout the National Action Plan and includes the First Nations Sub-Working Group, the Inuit Working Group, the Métis Nation Sub-Working Group, the Sub-Working Group of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, the Urban Sub-Working Group, the 2SLGBTQQIA+ Sub-Working Group, the Data Sub-Working Group, and the Federal Sub-Working Group.